CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Preview of Akron's game against Louisiana-Lafayette:

Akron (1-2) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-2)

Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m., InfoCision Stadium

Radio: WARF-AM, 1350.

Outlook: This game holds a lot of intrigue as neither team has established its true identity, yet. Are the Akron Zips the team that was humbled at Central Florida and barely escaped against James Madision, or the team that took then No. 11 Michigan to the last play of the game to avoid an upset?

Are the Ragin' Cajuns -- arguably the best team nickname in all of college sports -- the team that lost 34-14 to Arkansas and 48-27 to Kansas State, or the team that demolished Nicholls State, 70-7?

A contrast in styles as the Ragin' Cajuns are more of an option-pass football team with a style of play akin to Northern Illinois in the MAC. Akron, on the other hand, has a vertical passing game that stung Michigan and likely caught everyone's attention on film.

Both teams will look to make this game their defining moment of the young season before both look to conference play; La.-Lafayette in the Sun Belt and Akron in the MAC.

Akron spotlight: There are a lot of bright spots shining for the Zips after that 28-24 heart-stopping loss to Michigan. Quarterback Kyle Pohl (55-92, 552 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT) is fast showing off the deep passing arm that head coach Terry Bowden has raved about.

Akron's vertical passing game to receivers Zach D'Orazio (11 receptions, 120 yards, 3 TD), Andrew Pratt (six receptions, 23.7 yards per catch) and L.T. Smith (8 rec. 20.8 yards per catch), among others, is something the opposition must pay close attention to. Considering most teams struggle to find one good cornerback that can cover deep, much less two or three, it is a style of play almost assured of big plays, as the Zips proved against Michigan.

While there was improvement at Michigan, Akron's problem is a defense that has given up more than its share of big plays. Many of them, however, have been due to very poor tackling in the back end of Akron's defense.

Louisiana-Lafayette spotlight: This program is coming off back-to-back 9-3 seasons complete with bowl game victories. In short, the Ragin' Cajuns have learned how to win. They put that on display in a 70-7 route of Nicholls State, jumping out to a 49-7 halftime lead behind a 65-yard touchdown run, a 58-yard interception returned for a touchdown, and a 36-yard touchdown pass. Another 42-yard touchdown run was added to the mix in the second half.

The Cajuns had four different tailbacks gain 64 yards rushing or more, and only one of them carried the ball more than nine times. Amazingly, the 456 yards rushing was just the third-highest total in school history behind 556 vs. Louisiana-Monroe and 513 vs. Tulane.

It is clear the Cajuns want to run as they are averaging 239.3 yards per game and have already notched 10 rushing touchdowns on the season compared to just three in the air.

Even with the Nicholls State beatdown, the opposition has averaged 427.0 yards per game, including 233.0 per game through the air. That will certainly be a point of emphasis for both teams.

This will be the 12th matchup with a MAC team as the Cajuns stand 5-6 overall.

Key to success: One team wants to run the football, the other team wants to throw it. Akron's passing game should actually open some holes for tailback Jawon Chisholm to run through.

The junior tailback is due for a big game on the ground. Even without him, Akron's passing attack should be good for 30-plus points.

Akron's defense is the outfit on notice. Even in Akron's rare wins in recent seasons, they have come via shootouts. If the Zips are truly moving forward as a program, winning or losing will not be decided on the last play of the game. And that has been the case the last two weeks.

Did you know: Perhaps the most noted athlete in the history of Louisiana-Lafayette (Southwest Louisiana) is Dwight (Bo) Lamar from Columbus, Ohio who averaged 31.2 points a game in basketball for his career (1969-1973) and has been inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame.

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